Magazine for target throwing machines



June 20, 1961 w. D, HODGE ET AL 2,989,045

MAGAZINE FOR TARGET THROWING MACHINES Filed Feb. 20, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY Jam; EMV/ engaom Z 14 TTOENE 3.

June 20, 1961 w. D. HODGE ET AL 2,989,045

MAGAZINE FOR TARGET THROWING MACHINES Filed Feb. 20, 1958 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORE, Wa/zefi 0. Hodge By John F. M'ffierspodn June 20, 1961 w. D. HODGE ET AL 2,989,045 A MAGAZINE FOR TARGET THROWING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 20, 1958 mwm M M WWW WW Qm. Am W m N w A 1:: A A A w w 1 7 A w Q Q ww $1.1: i. Q A A: 2 35? f w! 111 g: wmw ww 3 N88 June 20, 1961 w. D. HODGE ET AL MAGAZINE FOR TARGET THROWING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 20, 1958 m 5 a v TOr 7. mg m 047 r m M 4 5 F, v a W V. B

2,989,045 MAGAZlNE FOR TARGET THROWING MA'CHINES Walter D. Hodge, Kansas City, and John F. Witherspoon, Overland Park, Kans., assignors to Target Machines, Inc, Great Bend, Kans., a corporation of Kansas Filed Feb. 20, 1958, Ser. No. 716,342 7 Claims. ('Cl. 124-47) This invention relates generally to that class of apparatus utilized for throwing into the air the targets, or birds as they are commonly called, at which sportsmen shoot in trap shooting or similar tests of marksmanship. More specifically, this invention relates to improvements over the target throwing apparatus disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,677,361, issued on May 4, 1954, to Virgil F. McIntire.

The apparatus of the mentioned patent is quite satisfactory for use under certain circumstances. However, it is the broad purpose of this invention to improve upon such prior apparatus in a number of important respects, including those referred to in the specific objects hereinafter stated.

One important object of this invention is to provide a target throwing machine adapted for positively and reliably handling and throwing Without breakage a maximum number or load of fragile, disc-like targets formed of clay, ceramic or similar material adapted to shatter when hit by a marksmans shot.

Another important object of this invention is to provide such a target throwing machine of minimum space requirements, which can be manufactured at commercially practicable cost and may be employed in the field with little maintenance and a high degree of reliability even under adverse conditions of terrain, rigid camouflage requirements or unfavorable atmospheric conditions.

Another important object of this invention is to provide such a target throwing machine having increased control over and versatility of adjustment of target trajectories, which is particularly advantageous when the machines are employed in field courses where it may be desired from time-to-time to alter the trajectories of targets thrown by various machines.

Another important object of this invention is to provide such a target throwing machine having improved means for rotating the upper, target supply carrying assembly and for cocking and releasing the target throwing arm in properly controlled sequential fashion.

Another important object of this invention is to provide such a target throwing machine having improved means for the controlled release of targets from the upper, target supply carrying assembly and the shifting of same onto the cocked throwing arm.

Still other important objects of this invention, including certain significant details of construction will be made clear or become apparent as the following description of a currently preferred embodiment of the invention progresses.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a machine made in accordance with this invention, with parts broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the fixed and rotatable table assemblies shown in FIG. 1, and of the throwing arm and portions of the means for transmitting and translating operating forces in such machine, with parts broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 1, a number of the parts appearing in side elevation;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the throwing nited States Patent arm and certain associated mechanism, showing such arm in cocked or stand-by condition;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the throwing arm and certain associated mechanism, showing such arm in released or fully actuated condition;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 4, particularly showing the mounting of the cam and gear drive element on the motor shaft, parts of the intermittent table assembly driving mechanism thereon, and the automatic control switch associated therewith;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top plan view of the lower table assembly, particularly showing the target clearing opening therein and the combination gate and ramp means associated with such opening;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, cross sectional view taken on line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, cross sectional view taken on line 99 of FIG. I, particularly showing the cam means on the upper table assembly for operating the gate means on the lower table assembly;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, bottom plan view of a portion of the upper table assembly, particularly showing one of the feeder fingers thereon;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, cross sectional view taken on line 1111 of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of certain preferred, illustrative electrical connections used in the control of the machine.

Referring first particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of machine contemplated by the invention is generally designated by the numeral 10 and will be seen to include, as its principal elements or assemblies, a base 12 having adjustably mounted thereon frame like supporting structure 14 upon which is rotatably mounted an upper, ro-

tatable table assembly 16, a swingable throwing arm 18 having a rotatable gear and cam follower element 20 connected thereto, a prime mover 22 preferably in the nature of an electric motor, a gear and cam segmented element 24 operably coupled with the prime mover 22 to be driven thereby, and a spring 26 for actuating the throwing arm 18, there being a lower table assembly 28 supported from the upper table assembly 16 in a manner permitting relative rotation between the assemblies 16 I and 28 with the latter of same being held in fixed relationship to the structure 14 by means hereinafter to be described.

The base 12 may, as illustrated, comprise a base piece 30 having a hole 32 therein for receiving a bearing housing portion 34 of a lower bearing plate 36 which is attached to the base piece 30 as by bolts 38. An upper bearing plate assembly 40 having parts received within the housing 34 is rotatably mounted upon the lower hearing plate 36 and has attached to the top thereof an upstanding bracketmember 42 provided with lateral reinforcing ribs 44 and perforations for passing a pair of bolts 46 and 48. A pair of upstanding lugs 50 on the lower bearing plate 36 are provided with threaded openings 52 for receiving bolts adapted to engage opposite portions of the upper plate and bracket assembly 40-42 for locking the latter in a given, adjusted directional or azimuth position.

Support structure 14 includes an arcuate segment 54 which is pivotally mounted for swinging movement about a horizontal axis upon the bolt 46 carried by the bracket 42 of base 12. An adjustment bolt 56 is threaded into the upstanding lug 58 on the upper bearing plate 40 and is adapted to engage a portion of the segment 54 of support structure 14 for adjusting the elevation angle of the latter. Bolt 48 may be used for locking the support 7 Patented June 20, 1961 structure 14 in a given position of angular elevation relative to the bracket 42 of base 12 and it will be understood that it may be either in the nature of a friction or set screw, as illustrated, or may pass through an aligned slot or perforations in the segment 54 and carry a nut or the like on the side of segment 54 opposite to that viewed in FIG. 3.

Support structure 14 further includes a rearwardly and upwardly extending portion 60' carrying at its extremity a block 62 in which is rotatably mounted and from which upwardly extends an upright shaft 64. As will be later described, the upper table assembly 16 is secured to the shaft 64 and thereby rotatably carried by the block 62 of support structure 14. Adjacent the extremity thereof opposite block 62, support structure 14 carries spaced bearings 66 and 68 for a rotatable shaft 70'up0n which are mounted the gear segment and cam follower element 20, a reserve target shifting cam 72, the throwing arm 18 and athrowing arm actuating crank 74. As will be clear from FIG. 3, the throwing arm actuating spring 26 has one end thereof passed through a lug 76 on the support structure 14 and the opposite end thereof secured by adjustably extensiblemeans 78 and an eye 80 to a pivot pin 82 carried by crank arms 84 on the crank assembly 74. It will be understood that the reserve target cam 72, the gear and cam follower segment 20, the throwing arm 18 and the crank assembly 74 may each be secured to the shaft 70 in any suitable fashion as by keying thereto, the reserve target cam being illustrated as secured by a setscrew 86 to a shaft extension 70' threaded into a nut 88 carried atop the gear and cam follower element 20.

Support structure 14 also carries the prime mover 22, which preferably comprises an electric motor and gear reduction box of conventional character provided with an upright output shaft 90 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 6), to which the segmented gear and cam element 24 is suitably secured for rotation therewith. Support structure 14 also includes an upstanding post 92 (see FIG. 3) Whose uppermost extremity is received within a block 94 attached to the lower table assembly 28 for preventing rotation of the latter relative to the support structure 14.

The upper table assembly 16 preferably comprises a generally annular plate-like member 96 having a central spider generally designated 98 which is secured to the shaft 64 as by nut and washer means 100. Member 96 has provided therein a series of apertures 102 of proper size for receiving and clearing the type of targets to be used, such apertures 102 being arranged in circular series extending around the plate-like member 96 and spaced from each other by equal angles of displacement at equal radial distances from the shaft 64 which constitutes the axis of rotation of the assembly 16. On its uppermost surface, the plate-like member 96 of assembly 16 isprovided with upstanding flange means 104 adjacent each aperture 102 for laterally enclosing not only such aperture 102 but a space 106 for receiving an extra or reserve target in addition to one which may normally be disposed within the aperture 102. It will be understood at this point that in loading the machine with targets, a target is normally placed in each of the apertures 102 and extends slightly thereabove and an additional or reserve target is emplaced in each space 106 where it is normally held between the flange means 104 and the target situated in the corresponding aperture 102 while the latter remains thereat.

As will be best seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, the lower surface of the plate 96 is provided with a continuous series of annular flange means 108 presenting alternate, straight, radially extending, bounded surfaces 110 and inwardly facing substantially semicircular, arcuately bounded surfaces 112, which form a part of the intermittent drive means for the upper table assembly 16 hereinafter to be further explained.

The throwing arm mechanism 18 preferably comprises a flat elongated plate 114 extending radially from a hub 116 secured to the shaft 70, a number of upstanding posts 118 spaced longitudinally along the upper surface of plate 114, and an elongated rubber, target engaging strip 120 extending longitudinally along the rear edge of the plate 114 and mounted upon the posts 118 as by facing strips 122 held in place by bolts 124 received by the posts 118. It has been found that the provision of the rubber strip 120 greatly increases the consistency of the trajectory of targets thrown by the throwing arm 18 as well as virtually eliminating the breakage of the targets from contact with the propelling surface of the throwing arm mechanism.

The segmented gear and cam follower element 20, which is also suitably secured to the shaft 70 for rotation therewith, includes a gear segment 126 of preferably slightly less than 90 angular extent which is provided with a series of regularly spaced gear teeth 128 and with a single gear tooth 128 spaced from one end of the teeth 128 by a distance equal to twice the normal spacing between the latter. In other words, the tooth 128' is located as if it were a part of the series of teeth 128 with that tooth of the series 128 which would normally be adjacent the tooth 128' being eliminated. The element 20 also includes a radial extension 130 carrying at its outer extremity a roller 132 rotatably mounted thereon by pin means 134. The manner in which the teeth 128 and 128 and the roller 132 cooperate with various portions of the gear and cam element 24 will be hereinafter explained.

The element 24 is of significant configuration both about its periphery and upon its upper surfaces. It is preferably attached to the shaft 90 extending upwardly from the motor and gear reduction mechanism 22 by means of a shear pin 136 whose lower extremity is received in a collar 138 in turn held within a hole 140 in the element 24 by a setscrew 142, the upper end of shear pin 136 being received in a collar 144 accommodated in a hole 146 of a sleeve 148 pressfitted, keyed, or otherwise rigidly secured to the shaft 90. In the illustrated construction a split retaining ring 150 in the sleeve 148 engages the underside of the element 24, while the upper surface of the latter is engaged by a. downwardly faced shoulder 152 on the sleeve 148. If desired, a spacing sleeve 154 may be employed on the shaft 90 between the power mechanism 22 and the lower extremity of sleeve 148.

On the lower surface of element 24 is a sloped cam or protrusion 156 adapted to engage the operating plunger 158 of a normally closed electrical switch 160 mounted upon the power means 22. Protrusion 156 thus opens the switch 160 whenever the element 24 is rotated to the position illustrated in FIG. 6. The upper surface of element 24 is provided with an upstanding and outwardly extending bracket 162 carrying at its extremity a roller 164 rotatably mounted upon pin means 166. Roller 164 is adapted to be received within the straight, radially extending bounded surfaces 110 on the lower side of the upper table assembly 16. It will be immediately appreciated by those skilled in the art that the roller 164 is adapted to enter and emerge from the surface bounded zones 110 as the element 24 rotates and will be effective during a portion of each revolution of the element 24 to exert force upon the flange means 108 for rotating the upper table assembly 16 relative to the support structure 14.

Also provided upon the upper surface of the element 24 at the extremity thereof substantially opposite to the roller 164 is an upstanding flange 168, which has a semicircular outer surface 170. Such outer surface of the flange 168 is adapted to engage the complementary inner surfaces 112 presented by the flange means 108 on the lower side of the upper table assembly 16 during that portion of the revolution of the element 24 in which the roller 164 is withdrawn from any of the surfaces 110 on the upper table assembly 16. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the flange 168 serves to maintain the upper table assembly 16 in fixed position relative to the support structure 14 during those intervals between intermittent rotation of the upper table assembly 16 by the action of the roller 164 upon a surface 110.

On its periphery, the element 24 is provided with a first cam face 172 of radius adapted to be engaged by the roller 132 of the cam follower extension 130 of element 20 when the throwing arm 18 is in a cocked or stand-by condition, a cam surface 174 of lesser radius adapted to clear both the roller 132 and the teeth 128 and 128' of the element 20, to permit throwing movement of the throwing arm 18 under the influence of the spring actuating means 26, and a series of evenly spaced gear teeth 176 disposed to mesh with the teeth 128 and 128 of the element 20 for recocking or restoring the throwing arm 18 to its stand-by position against the influence of the spring means 26.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 4, the elements 20 and 24 are shown in substantially the position same would occupy when the throwing arm 18 is cocked or in standby condition ready to throw a target 178 which has been delivered onto the throwing arm plate 14 by means hereinafter to be described. It will be understood that the power means22 have been deenergized through the opening of switch 160 by the action of the cam projection 156 on the lower surface of the element 24. Upon reenergization of the power means 22 in fashion hereinafter to be described, the shaft 90 will commence to rotate to turn the element 24 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4. As will be seen from FIG. 4, as soon as the element 24 has rotated only a slight amount, the cam follower roller 132 of the element 20 will step off of the cam face 172 of element 24 and both such roller 132 and the teeth 128 and 128' of element 20 will clear the cam face 174 of element 24, permitting the actuating spring 26 to rapidly swing the throwing arm 114 from its standby position to the fully actuated position illustrated in FIG. 5. During this swinging movement of the throwing arm 18, the target 178 will be propelled upon its trajectory.

Before leaving FIG. 4, it will be noted that the roller 164 of element 24 disengages from a bounded surface 110 of the upper table assembly 16 at substantially the same time that the roller 132 of element 20 rides off of the cam surface 172, and that the flange 168 of element 24 has commenced to enter and engage with the next bounded surface 112 of the upper table assembly 16. Also shown in FIG. 4 is a target positioning member 180, which is mounted upon the post 92 of support structure 14 by fastening means 182 and extends between a pair of posts 118 of the throwing arm 18 to a position for retaining the target 178 spaced from the outermost or discharge end of the throwing arm 18. The use of the member 180 has been found advantageous in that, in operation, the support structure 14, the table assemblies 16 and 28 and the throwing arm 18 may all be tilted for a chosen trajectory in such manner that a target 178 might tend to roll toward the discharge end of throwing arm 18 or even 01f such end of same. By the provision of the member 180 not only is such effect avoided, but the impartation to the target 178 of a spinning or rotative action as it is propelled into space is assured, which results in more consistent trajectories.

Referring next to FIG. 5, wherein the throwing arm 18 is illustrated in substantially the fully actuated or equilibrium position which same occupies after a throwing action by virtue of the force transmitted to the crank assembly 74 by the spring 26, the element 24 is shown in the position it would'occupy after it has continued its rotation from the position shown in FIG. 4 to a point where the flange means 168 of element 24 is fully engaged with the cooperating surface 112 on the upper table assembly 16. During this part of the revolution of the element 24 the table assembly 16 is remaining stationary and the full power transmitted to the rotating element 24 is being utilized to recock or restore the throwing arm 18 to its stand-by condition. It will be noted that the first tooth 176 of the element 24 adjacent the cam face 174 of the latter has just engaged the spaced tooth 128' of the element 20 and that the next tooth 176 is entering the space between the tooth 128 and the first tooth 128 of the element '20 to assure proper meshing of the sets of teeth on the elements 20 and 24. It will now be perceived that the significance of eliminating a tooth between the tooth 128 and the adjacent tooth 128 of element 20 lies in the fact that the throwing arm 18 and accordingly element 20 coupled therewith, may not always come to rest at exactly the same equilibrium position after actuation thereof. The gear tooth construction illustrated and described provides for perfect meshing within a fairly broad range of possible equilibrium positions of the element 20. As the element 24 continues to rotate, the element 20 is counterrotated to recock the throwing arm 18 whereupon the roller 132 of the element 20 is engaged by the cam face 172 of the element 24 to hold the element 20 and throwing arm 18 in their stand-by position until the roller 132 has ridden off of the cam surface 172. As previously noted, the switch is opened by the camprojection 156 on element 24 just before the roller 132 rides 011 of the cam surface 172 and the machine 10 is then deactivated in stand-by condition until an alternate energizing circuit for the power means 22 is completed to effect the throwing of another target 178. It will be understood that during the progress of rotation of the element 24 in which the follower roller 132 is riding across the cam surface 172, the flange 168 has been disengaged from the holding surface 112 and the roller 164 has become engaged with and operative relative to the next surface 110 of the upper table assembly 16 to rotate the latter and deliver the next target 178 to the throwing arm 18 while the latter is in its stand-by position. The manner of delivery of such target 178 to the throwing arm 18 will be hereina-fter described.

The lower table assembly 28 is preferably formed of two semiannular plate-like sections 184 and 186 which are interconnected by suitable brackets or the like 188 at their zones of juncture to present an annular assembly. The lower table assembly 28 is disposed immediately below the portion of upper table assembly 16 having the row of apertures 102 therein, so that the upper table assembly 16 is in superimposed relationship to the lower table assembly 28. The lower table assembly 28 is supported from the upper table assembly 16 by means of a series of peripherally notched rollers 190' rotatably mounted upon and depending from the spokes 192 of the web structure 98 forming a part of the upper table assembly 16. Such rol-lers 190 receive in their peripheral grooves the inner circumferential surface 194 of the roller table assembly 28. As previously noted, the lower table assembly 28 is restricted against rotation relative to the support structure 14 by the post 92 and block 94 shown in FIG. 3. It will be noted that the construction of the table assemblies 16 and 28 is exemplary of the philosophy of construction of the entire machine by which various parts are rendered easily removable should such action become necessary for purposes of servicing or replacement.

The lower table assembly 28 normally retains targets occupying the various apertures 102 of the upper table assembly 16 from dropping out of such apertures 102, by virtue of the sliding engagement of the upper surface of the sections 184 and 186 with the under surfaoe of targets within the apertures 102. However, the section 186 of lower table assembly 28 is provided with an opening 196 therein, which is of sufficient dimensions to clear a target from an aperture 102 thereabove and aligned therewith. It has been found that the mere dropping of targets upon alignment of an opening such as at 196 with an aperture 102 tended to result in breakage of targets upon impact thereof with a throwing arm therebelow. Accordingly, it will be observed that the stand-by position of the throwing arm 18 in the machine is not only below but is laterally offset from the opening 196 and that there is provided gate and ramp means generally designated 198 in association with the opening 196 of the lower table assembly 28.

The gate and ramp mechanism 198 includes an interconnected operating rod extension 200 and a bifurcated gate and ramp plate 202 which are swingably mounted on the lower plate assembly 28 by hinge means 204, as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The plate 202 is normally disposed in downwardly sloping, ramp-like disposition extending from below the opening 196 to immediately above the adjacent edge of the throwing arm 18 when the latter is in its stand-by position. When so disposed, it will be clear that a target from an aligned aperture 102 above the opening 196 may proceed at least partially by the force of gravity onto the throwing arm 18. The upper table assembly 16 is provided with a downwardly extending cam face 266 for each aperture respectively. The section 186 of lower table assembly 28 is provided with a hole 208 under which the extremity of the operating extension 200 remote from plate 202 extends. Such extension 200 is provided with an upwardly extending feeler element 210, which extends upwardly through the hole 208 for engagement with the cams 266 of the upper table assembly 16 when the latter move into proper position. Upon engagement of a cam face 266 with the feeler element 210, the operating extension 200 is actuated to swing the plate 202 upwardly into a position immediately below or within the opening 196 for closing the latter. Such opening 196 is closed by the plate 202 in this manner during that portion of the cycle of operation in which an aperture 102 is moving into overlying alignment with the opening 196, in order to prevent jamming and consequent breakages of targets. After an aperture 102 is fully aligned with the opening 196, the plate 202 is restored to its inclined, ramp presenting position for travel of a target from the aperture 102 along such plate 202 and onto the throwing arm 18. A suitable manner of constructing and attaching the cams 266 to the spider spokes 192 is illustrated in FIG. 9.

In order to assure positive passage of targets along the ramp plate 202 and onto the throwing arm 18, the upper table assembly 16 is provided on its underside with a feeder finger mechanism 212 adjacent each aperture 102 respectively. Fingers 212 are pivotally mounted on bracket means 214 for swinging movement about axes parallel to the plane of table assembly 16, such fingers 21 2 normally extending from their corresponding aperture 102 in a direction away from the normal direction of travel of such aperture 102 relative to the support structure 14 and the lower table assembly 28. The brackets 214 are secured by any suitable fastening means 216 to the upper table assembly 16, and there is provided a spring 218 oppositely engaging the bracket 214 and a portion of the finger assembly 212 for yieldably biasing the finger 21'2 toward a position underlying the corresponding aperture 102, rather than the position in which such fingers 212 are illustrated in the drawings by virtue of the fact that they are normally maintained in such latter position by the engagement therewith of the lower table assembly 28 immediately therebelow. In this connection, it is pointed out that, since FIG. 10 is a bottom view, FIG. 11 has been provided to better show the disposition in which the fingers 212 are actually utilized in the machine 10.

As the upper table assembly 16 moves to a point at which a finger 212 clears the opening 196, the finger 212 swings under the influence of spring 218 downwardly and in the direction of normal travel of the upper table assembly 16 where it engages a target that might be stalled on the ramp plate 202 and pushes the same off of the plate 202 onto the throwing arm 18, it being noted that the bifurcation of plate 202 permits the fingers 212 to pass therebetween. As the rotation of the upper table assembly 16 continues, the finger 212 engages the edge 2:20 of opening 196 and is swung back to the position of confinement it normally occupies between the table assemblies 16 and 28, and as illustrated in FIG. 11.

Referring next to FIG. 12, the numerals 222 and 224 represent a pair of power terminals one of which is coupled through conductive means 226, a main power switch 228 and conductive means 230 to one side of the electrically driven power means 22. The other side of power means 22 is coupled by conductive means 232 with one side of the switch operated by the projection 156 on element 24, the other side of switch 160 being coupled by conductive means 234 with the other power terminal 224. A second, normally open switch 236 is provided and connected in parallel with the switch 160 by conductive means 238 and 240. Switch 236 is the switch by which throwing operations are controlled, the means for actuating same being optional and designated in the figure by the dotted line 242. In differing circumstances, the switch 236 might be simply a manually operated push button switch, or it might be actuated by an electric eye or a tread pressure responsive device appropriately located and camouflaged in a field course layout.

Although the manner of operation of the various parts of the machine 10 has been indicated in connection therewith during the progress of description of the parts involved, a brief summary of such operation may be appropriate. To set up the machine for operation, the azimuth and elevation for a desired trajectory are established by adjustment and locking of the support structure 14 relative to the base 12. The upper table assembly 16 is then loaded with a target in each of the apertures 102 and a reserve target in each of the spaces 106. Presuming that there is no target on the throwing arm '18 and that the switch 160 is being held open by the projection 156 on assembly 24, as it normally would be in a standby condition, the main power switch 228 may be closed and the throwing switch 236 may then be momentarily closed to cause cam 156 to move away from the plunger 158 and permit switch 160 to return to its normally closed condition. Upon the commencement of rotation of the element 24 the throwing arm 18 will be released and perform a throwing movement, even though no target is disposed thereupon. As the element 24 continues to rotate the gear teeth of element 24 will engage with those of element 20 to move the throwing arm 18 back to its cocked or stand-by condition, the cam follower roller 132 then engaging the cam surface 172 of element 24 to retain the throwing arm 18 in such stand-by position. Continued rotation of element 24 will then rotate the upper table assembly 16 relative to the support structure 14 and the lower table assembly 28, by virtue of the action of the roller 164 upon the bounded surface 110.

As the upper table assembly 16 rotates, an aperture 102 thereof having a target therein will be brought into overlying register with the opening 196 of lower table assembly 28, during which the gating plate 202 is brought into a position closing the opening 196 until full register is established, then the operating extension 200 will ride free of the corresponding cam 266 to swing the gate and ramp plate 202 to its position clearing the opening 196 and providing a ramp Way for the passage of the target onto the throwing arm 18. Further rotation of the upper table assembly 16 operates the corresponding feeder finger 212 to assure that the target has been suitably shifted off of the ramp plate 202 onto the throwing arm 18. As the element 24 continues to turn the projection 156 thereon engages the switch 160 to break the energizing circuit for the electric motor 22, whereupon the machine will remain in stand-by condition with a target 9 upon the throwing arm 18 ready to be thrown upon momen-tary closing of the control switch 236.

Upon the control switch 236 being momentarily closed, the element 24 will rotate sufficiently for the cam follower roller'132 and the teeth of element 20 to be cleared by the face 17 4 of element 20, whereupon the throwing arm 18 will be powerfully swung by the force of spring 26 acting through the crank assembly 74 and shaft 70. As the throwing arm 18 is thus swung, the target will move toward the outward end thereof along the rubber strip 120 and will be discharged into the air upon its trajectory with both a spinning motion and a strong forward force. The machine then continues its cycle, it being noted that the cam face 174 is of sufficient length to permit completion of the throwing stroke of the arm 18 and the restoration of same to its fully actuated equilibrum position before the teeth of element 24 reengage with the teeth of element 20 to repeat the cocking of the throwing arm 18. The cycle will repeat indefinitely in the manner described until all of the targets have been exhausted, it being noted that the reserve target feeder cam 72 serves to urge a reserve target within a space 106 on the upper table as sembly 16 into the corresponding aperture 102 after the target originally within the latter has been discharged through the opening 196 onto the throwing arm. 18.

It will thus be apparent that this invention is well adapted for the accomplishment of all of the abovementioned and other objects thereof. It will also be understood, however, that certain minor modifications and changes could be made from the precise structure shown and described for illustrative purposes without departing from the true spirit and intention of the invention. Accordingly, the invention should be deemed as limited only by the fair scope and equivalents of the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a target throwing machine, support structure; a pair of relatively rotatable, super-imposed assemblies on said structure, an upper of said assemblies being rotatable relative to said structure and provided with a series of target receiving and clearing apertures therein arranged along the circumference of a circle, a lower of said as semblies being fixedly positioned relative to said structure, having parts normally underlying a number of said apertures for slidably engaging and supporting targets Within the latter, but provided with an interruption of said parts for clearing the lower extremities of said apertures successively as said upper assembly is shifted to permit targets to fall from said apertures, said upper assembly having a flat upper face; reserve target receiving and guiding means on the upper face of the upper assembly laterally adjacent each of a number of said apertures; a reserve target feed member on said structure for engaging and urging reserve targets at the peripheries thereof in said guiding means toward the corresponding of said apertures as said upper assembly is rotated relative to said structure; gate means normally underlying said interruption, having a portion thereof operably coupled with said assembly, and adapted to be shifted between a normal position blocking said interruption and an operated position clearing said interruption; drive means operably coupled with said upper assembly for shifting the same relative to said structure and said lower assembly; and operating means shiftable with said upper assembly and operably coupled with said portion of the gate means for shifting the latter from its normal to its operated position to clear said interruption when one of said apertures is aligned with said interruption.

2. In a target throwing machine, support structure; a pair of relatively shiftable, super-imposed assemblies on said structure, an upper of said assemblies including a generally annular plate rotatably mounted on said structure and provided with a series of target receiving and clearing apertures therein arranged along the circumference of a circle, a lower of said assemblies including a generally annular table rotatably mounted on said plate at an inner annular edge of the latter and being fixedly positioned relative to said structure, having parts normally underlying a number of said apertures for slidably engaging and supporting targets within the latter, but provided with an opening in said parts for clearing the lower extremities of said apertures successively as said plate is shifted to permit targets to fall from said apertures, said opening being proximal to the outer annular edge of the table for successive alignment with said apertures as said plate is rotated relative to said structure; gate means normally underlying said opening, having a portion thereof operably coupled with said table, and adapted to be shifted between a normal position blocking said opening and an opera-ted position clearing said opening; drive means o erably coupled with said plate for shifting thesame relative to said structure and said table; and operating means shiftable with said plate and operably coupled with said portion of the gate means for shifting the latter from its normal to its operated position to clear said opening when one of said apertures is aligned with said opening.

3. In a machine as set forth in claim 2, wherein said drive means includes an intermittent drive mechanism having a rotatable drive element provided with a substantially semi-circular flange and a roller thereon in spaced relation to each other, and flange means on said plate presenting an annular series of alternate straight and arcuately bounded surfaces adapted to be operably engaged by said roller and semi-circular flange respectively.

4. In a target throwing machine, support structure; a pair of relatively shiftable, super-imposed assemblies on said structure, an upper of said assemblies being shiftable relative to said structure and provided with a series of target receiving and clearing apertures therein, a lower of said assemblies being fixedly positioned relative to said structure, having parts normally underlying a number of said apertures 'for slidably engaging and supporting targets Within the latter, but provided with an interruption of said parts for clearing the lower extremities of said apertures successively as said upper assembly is shifted to permit targets to fall from said apertures; gate means swingably mounted on said lower assembly and normally underlying said interruption, said gate means adapted to be shifted between a normal position blocking said interruption and an operated position clearing said interruption and, when shifted to its operated position, providing a ramp for receiving and slidably supporting a target discharged through said interruption; a target feeder finger element for each of said apertures respectively, said finger elements being swingably mounted on said upper assembly adjacent the corresponding of said apertures and adapted to move between a first position of confinement between said assemblies to a second position extending through said interruption for shifting a target along said ramp as said upper assembly moves relative to said lower assembly; drive means operably coupled with said upper assembly for shifting the same relative to said structure and said lower assembly; and operating means shiftable with said upper assembly and operably coupled with said portion of the gate means for shifting the latter from its normal to its operated position to clear said interruption when one of said apertures is aligned with said interruption.

5. In a machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein said finger elements are each yieldably biased away from said first position thereof toward said second position thereof.

6. In a target throwing machine, support structure; a pair of relatively shiftable, super-imposed assemblies on said structure, an upper of said assemblies being shiftable relative to said structure and provided with a series of target receiving and clearing apertures therein, a lower of said assemblies being fixedly positioned relative to said structure, having parts normally underlying a number of said apertures for slidably engaging and supporting targets within the latter, but provided with an interruption of said parts for clearing the lower extremities of said apertures successively as said upper assembly is shifted to permit targets to fall from said apertures; gate means normally underlying said interruption, having a portion thereof operably coupled with said assembly, and adapted to be shifted between a normal position blocking said interruption and an operated position clearing said interruption; drive means operably coupled with said upper assembly for shifting the same relative to said structure and said lower assembly; an elongated rod secured to said gate means and swingable along one of the marginal edges thereof about a substantially horizontal axis, said rod having one end adapted to engage said upper assembly and shiftable therewith for shifting the gate means from its normal to its operated position to clear said interruption when one of said apertures is aligned with said interruption.

7. In a target throwing machine as set forth in claim 6, wherein said upper assembly is provided with cam means associated with each aperture therein proximal to the inner annular edge of said assembly, said lower assembly being provided with a hole therein adjacent said interruption and underlying the path of said cam means, said end of said rod projecting through said hole and adapted to engage said cam means as the latter is shifted relative thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,816,091 Schmeisser July 28, 1931 2,245,258 Darrell June 10, 1941 2,609,811 Lawrence Sept. 9, 1952 2,677,361 McIntyre May 4, 1954 2,711,163 Richardson June 21, 1955 2,711,726 Darrell June 28, 1955 

